The material presented in NET is chosen from thousands of mostly English-language
works in the social sciences and humanities, from Anthropology to Social
Psychology. About 85 percent is drawn from the literature after the end
of World War I. The author has separated this into subjects and topics arranged
alphabetically.

NET is based on definitions actually used by scholars in published research.
Numerous See also's serve as guides to cognate words, opposite meanings
and concepts, and related research terminologies. These appear at the end
of most entries. Page numbers in the sources cited are listed.

ONTOLOGICAL SECURITY Confidence or trust that the
natural and social worlds are as they appear to be, including the fundamental
existential conditions of self and social identity (Giddens, 946, 375).
See also Ontological Proof, Ontology, Structuration Theory.

What the Critic Say

"...Spira's work is exhaustive and authoritative when a work defining
terminology is needed. Recommended for college and university collections"--Choice

"[NET] is simply in a class of its own with no comparisons and is
highly recommended"--American Reference Books Annual

" An academic tour de force which belongs on the shelves
of all university libraries, [NET] is an essential guide to the key terms
and concepts in the field"--Canadian Review of Studies in Nationalism

"[NET] is a significant achievement, and makes giant steps toward
unraveling the tangle of terms and theories, especially for those complicated
by contemporary political usage and complications."--Nationalities
Papers

"[NET] is for neophyte and advanced students and veteran researchers
in the field of nationalism."--Book News

"Truly Weberian in its comprehension, its systematic scheme of classification,
and its sophisticated analyses and syntheses."--Walker Connor

Errata

In volume 2, the page number for AUTHORS AND WORKS CITED is incorrectly
listed as 439. It is 539.